In early 2020, Mathew Milne packed up his life in regional Victoria and moved across the other side of the world to Canada. He was following the opportunity of a lifetime to help establish the KING Vancouver Showroom. 

This wasn’t Mathew’s first experience with KING. He started working at KING in 2015, before leaving in 2017 to pursue an opportunity in a different industry. 

“I always looked back on my years at KING as some of the best in my career,” he explains. “KING is unique in retail as a premium furniture designer and manufacturer. I was fortunate enough to spend time in Sydney and Shanghai, which really helped me to understand the business. When the opportunity came about for me to move to Canada to assist with the global expansion of the business, I jumped at the chance.” 

Mathew had always held aspirations to work overseas and the timing with KING was just right. He landed in Canada in February 2020, only two months after the initial conversation about the opportunity. The result is an incredible professional development opportunity that Mathew has grabbed with both hands. 

Mathew at the KING Vancouver Showroom (left) and enjoying the Canadian snow (right). 

The possibilities of international retail

When Mathew first left for Canada, he thought it would be a working holiday and a chance to experience something new. But as the Canadian business has grown for KING, Mathew’s role has also evolved. 

“I came to Canada working on the trade and commercial side of the business,” he recalls. “That then developed into an Assistant Manager role and now Showroom Manager. 

“Working in a KING Showroom abroad is a bit different to working in Australia. Back at home the head office manages the customer service, dispatch and warehousing. In Canada, that’s all run internally from the Showroom.” 

Mathew agrees that the KING vertical integration model of in-house design and manufacturing provides the team with the ability to “make changes and pivot really quickly to benefit the customers and the business.”

Featuring the KING Vancouver Team and KING CEO David Woollcott.

Culture and connection

The chance to pursue an international retail career while working for an Australian family business isn't all that common. Mathew agrees that the experience he is developing while working in Canada is invaluable.  

Raised within his family’s farming business, Mathew has great respect for the KING ethos and values. 

“We take so much pride in our work here,” he says. “When you can see the positive impact of the changes you’re making, that is really incredible. But it’s not just about hitting KPIs, you’re recognised as part of the family.  

“The KING culture flows through what we do here. That’s the most important thing we look for when hiring. We can teach you everything else, but the way you operate and treat your colleagues, that’s the most important thing.”

Mathew pictured at the KING Vancouver Showroom. 

Personal growth

Mathew knew that moving to Canada would help with his career development but he underestimated how much personal growth he would experience. He explains that this growth stems from the leadership culture at KING. 

“I’ve personally progressed more in the last three years than I did in the entire 10 years before that,” he says. “Our leaders within the business encourage people at all levels to speak up and share ideas that will benefit our customers.  

“That culture of being able to share your ideas openly does so much to progress your mindset. My progression has come from being provided the opportunity to feel confident in providing suggestions to different areas of the business. And then being able to see the direct impact of those suggestions on our customers.” 

One of those suggestions that Mathew is working on now came from a discussion amongst the team. They noticed they were seeing more customers from the neighbouring province of Alberta and investigated a possible delivery route. They put the proposal to head office and got the tick of approval to proceed.   

“We’re empowered to analyse everything that’s going on in our business and in the market and then make changes and improvements to be ahead of the game. That’s quite unique in the retail industry.” 

It’s this ability to drive real change and work in a fast-paced environment where his opinion is valued and respected that has Mathew excited about the future. 

If you’re looking for a new opportunity, discover how you can drive your career with KING.